Airflow system

ABSTRACT

An airflow system is provided that includes an interior strip that attaches an interior surface of a wall support assembly, a rear sheet attached to a rear exterior of the wall support assembly, a front sheet attached to a front exterior of the wall support assembly. The interior strip, rear sheet, and front sheet form a flame retardant interior channel that facilitates the transfer of airflow to and from an airflow source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/014,480 entitled “AIRFLOW SYSTEM” filed on Jun.19, 2014. The entirety of the above-noted application is incorporated byreference herein.

ORIGIN

The innovation disclosed herein relates to improving airflow and morespecifically to improving the airflow in a heating and cooling system.

BACKGROUND

Currently, in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systemmetal ductwork is used to transfer airflow from a source (e.g., furnace,air conditioner, etc.) to a destination (e.g., dwelling, building,etc.). Metal ductwork, however, has a tendency to leak as the airtravels from the source to the destination. For example, air leakageoccurs at a seam of the ductwork, at a joint where two pieces areconnected, at bend points in the ductwork, etc.

In addition, metal ductwork is costly to manufacture, store, transport,and install. Still further, installers must wear heavy gloves, whichmake it difficult to handle the ductwork, in order to prevent cuts thatoccur when handling the metal ductwork. Another disadvantage to theconventional metal ductwork is that when the system is operational andair is flowing, the metal ductwork shifts and pops thereby creatingnoise that can be heard throughout the facility.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not anextensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Itssole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

In an aspect of the innovation an airflow system is provided thatincludes an insert configured to attach to wall support members totransfer an airflow from an entry point to an exit point and a coverconfigured to attach to the insert and wall support members therebyproviding a seal over the insert, wherein the attachment of the coverforms a channel to facilitate the transfer of the airflow.

In another aspect of the innovation an airflow system is disclosed thatincludes a first portion having a first surface made from a flameretardant material and a second surface and being attached to aninterior surface of a wall support assembly so that the second surfaceis facing the interior surface thereby covering the interior surface; asecond portion having a first surface made from a flame retardantmaterial and being attached to a rear exterior portion of the wallsupport assembly so that the first surface is facing the rear exteriorportion thereby covering the rear exterior surface; and a third portionhaving a first surface made from a flame retardant material and beingattached to a front exterior surface of the wall support assembly sothat the first surface is facing the front exterior portion therebycovering the front exterior surface, wherein attachment of the firstportion, second portion, and third portion enclose the wall supportassembly and form a channel within the wall support assembly thatfacilitates a transfer of airflow.

In still yet another aspect of the innovation a method installing anairflow system is disclosed that includes providing a material having atleast one flame retardant surface; attaching a first portion of thematerial to an interior surface of a wall support assembly; attachinginner flaps, formed by the attachment of the first portion, to exteriorsurfaces of the wall support assembly; attaching a second portion to arear exterior surface of the wall support assembly; attaching rearflaps, formed by the attachment of the rear portion, to the exteriorsurfaces of the wall support assembly; attaching a third portion to afront exterior surface of the wall support assembly; and attaching frontflaps, formed by the attachment of the front portion, to the exteriorsurfaces of the wall support assembly.

To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrativeaspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovationis intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the innovation whenconsidered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example airflow system in accordancewith an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the example airflow system with a coverinstalled in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment of an insert inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example representation of a wall supportassembly in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example representation of the wallsupport assembly with the insert installed in accordance with an aspectof the innovation.

FIG. 6 is a flow-chart illustrating a method of installing the airflowsystem in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an example wall support assembly illustrating theinstallation of the airflow system in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another example embodiment of an insert inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 12 is a scaled down version of a wall support assembly inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIGS. 13-18 are illustrations of another example airflow system inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation.

FIG. 19 is a flow-chart illustrating a method of installing the airflowsystem of FIGS. 13-18 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however,that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation.

While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness),it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of theinnovation can employ characteristics that vary from those describedherein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of theinnovation and claims appended hereto.

While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or moremethodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shownand described as a series of acts, it is to be understood andappreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order ofacts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in adifferent order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the innovation.

The innovation disclosed herein provides an improved airflow system thatovercomes the above mentioned disadvantages. Specifically, disclosedherein is an innovative airflow system for a residence, commercialbuilding, etc. that utilizes the spaces formed in the wall betweenadjacent supports (e.g., studs) to transfer airflow from an air source(e.g., furnace, air conditioner, etc.) to an exit point (e.g., a vent,register, etc.) in a dwelling, commercial building, industrial building,etc. The improved air flow system is less costly to manufacture, store,transport install, etc. In addition, the improved airflow system is lessnoisy than the conventional metal ductwork system.

With reference now to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one exampleembodiment of a scaled down model version of an example airflow system100 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The airflow system100 includes an insert 102 and a cover 104 that fits over the insert 102to seal the airflow inside the insert 102, see FIG. 2. As will bedescribed further below, the insert 102 fits between and attaches toadjacent supports in a wall and the cover 104 is attached to the insert102 and, hence, the supports to form a sealed channel 106 between theadjacent supports that extends from an airflow entry point in the wallto an airflow exit point in the wall (e.g., heating/cooling vent orregister).

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment of the insert 102 inaccordance with an aspect of the innovation. The insert 102 isconfigured to conform to a shape of a space defined between adjacentside wall supports and upper and lower wall supports (e.g., header,footer, etc.) when the insert 102 is installed. Thus, the insert 102 canbe any size and as such, the insert 102 illustrated and described hereinis for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scopeof the innovation. In addition, the insert 102 can be made from amaterial configured to meet flame spread requirements, such as but notlimited to a foil based material.

Prior to installation, the insert 102 is initially a substantially flatsheet of material that includes a main (back) panel 108, a first end(upper) flange 110, a second end (lower) flange 112, a first side flange114, and a second side flange 116. The first end flange 110 and thesecond end flange 112 are disposed on opposite ends of the main panel108. Similarly, the first side flange 114 and the second side flange 116are disposed on opposite sides of the main panel 108.

The insert 102 further includes a first tab 118, a second tab 120, athird tab 122, and a fourth tab 124. The first tab 118 is disposed at acorner 126 defined by the first end flange 110 and the first side flange114, the second tab 120 is disposed at a corner 128 defined by the firstend flange 110 and the second side flange 116, the third tab 122 isdisposed at a corner 130 defined by the second end flange 112 and thesecond side flange 116, and the fourth tab 124 is disposed at a corner132 defined by the second end flange 112 and the second side flange 114.

The insert 102 further includes a first lip portion 134, a second lipportion 136, a third lip portion 138, and a fourth lip portion 140. Thefirst lip portion 134 extends along an outside edge of the first endflange 110, and the first and second tabs 118, 120. The second lipportion 136 extends along an outside edge of the second end flange 112,and the third and fourth tabs 130, 132. The third lip portion 138extends along an outside edge of the first side flange 114, and thefirst and fourth tabs 118, 124. The fourth lip portion 140 extends alongan outside edge of the second side flange 116, and the second and thirdtabs 120, 122.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the insert 102 further includes multiplescored lines to facilitate the folding of the flanges and tabs duringthe installation process described further below. Specifically, theinsert 102 includes a first scored line 142 defined between the mainpanel 108 and the first end flange 110, a second scored line 144 definedbetween the main panel 108 and the second end flange 112, a first sidescored line 146 defined between the main panel 108 and the first sideflange 114, a second side scored line 148 defined between the main panel108 and the second side flange 116. A fifth scored line 150 is definedbetween the first end flange 110 and the first tab 118, a sixth scoredline 152 is defined between the first end flange 110 and the second tab120, a seventh scored line 154 is defined between the second end flange112 and the third tab 122, and an eighth scored line 156 is definedbetween the second end flange 112 and the fourth tab 124.

The insert 102 further includes a first cut line 158 defined between thefirst tab 118 and the first side flange 114, a second cut line 160defined between the second tab 120 and the second side flange 116, athird cut line 162 defined between the third tab 122 and the second sideflange 116, and a fourth cut line 164 defined between the fourth tab 124and the first side flange 114.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 104 is configured to have asimilar shape to the space between adjacent wall supports such that thecover 104 seals the space to prevent air from leaking during the airflowprocess. The cover 104 is also made from a material configured to meetflame spread requirements, such as but not limited to a foil basedmaterial.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrations of scaled down versions of an examplerepresentation of a wall support assembly 400 that will be used as anexample to illustrate the insertion and attachment of the insert 102 andthe cover 104 into a wall support assembly. The wall support assembly400 can be made from any material, such as but not limited to metal,wood, etc. and can be any size. Thus, the wall support assembly 400illustrated and described herein is for illustrative purposes only andis not intended to limit the scope of the innovation.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall support assembly 400 includesa first end member 402, a second end member 404, a first side member406, and a second side member 408. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 6,installation of the airflow system 100 will now be described. It is tobe understood that an adhesive/sealant, such as but not limited to amastic type product (e.g., Duct-EZ), mentioned below is used to attachthe insert to the each inside surface of the wall support assembly andalso seals the system to reduce air leakage as compared to theconventional metal ductwork system.

At 600, the first and second side flanges 114, 116 are folded inwardtoward the main panel 108 along the first and second side scored lines146, 148 such that the first and second side flanges 114, 116 aresubstantially flat on the main panel 108. At 602, the first end flange110 is folded along the first scored line 142 approximately 90 degreestoward the main panel 108 such that a back surface of the first endflange 110 can be attached to an inside surface of the first member 402.At this point, the first and second tabs 118, 120 also fold in the samedirection due to the first and second cut lines 158, 160. At 604, thefirst and second tabs 118, 120 are folded along the fifth and sixthscored lines 150, 152 respectively such that a back surface of the firstand second tabs 118, 120 can be attached to an inside surface of thefirst and second side members 406, 408 respectively.

At 606, the second end flange 112 is folded along the second scored line144 approximately 90 degrees toward the main panel 108 such that a backsurface of the second end flange 112 can be attached to an insidesurface of the second member 404. At this point, the third and fourthtabs 122, 124 also fold in the same direction due to the third andfourth cut lines 162, 164. At 608, the third and fourth tabs 122, 124are folded along the seventh and eighth scored lines 154, 156respectively such that a back surface of the third and fourth tabs 122,124 can be attached to an inside surface of the first and second sidemembers 406, 408 respectively. At 610, an adhesive/sealant is applied toa front surface of the first, second, third and fourth tabs 118, 120,122, 124. At 612, the first and second side flanges 114, 116 are foldedback away from the main panel 108 approximately 90 degrees such that aback surface of the first and second side flanges 114, 116 contact andadhere to the front surface of the first, second, third and fourth tabs118, 120, 122, 124.

At 614, the first, second, third, and fourth lip portions 134, 136, 138,140 are folded over a front edge of the four members 402, 404, 406, 408respectively by approximately half the width of the front edges. At 616,the cover 104 is applied to the wall support assembly 400 and attachedvia the adhesive/sealant described above to prevent air leaks.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an example installation in accordance with anaspect of the innovation. In this example, the airflow system 100 isinstalled in adjacent wall support assemblies. Thus, the center supportacts as both the second side member for the assembly on the left and thefirst side member of the assembly on the right. In one embodiment, priorto the installation of the cover 104, a metal frame 700 is attached tothe support after the insert 102 is installed, as described above. Themetal frame 700 is used to frame out a vent, such as a cold air return.When the cover 102 is installed as described above, the cover 104 isalso attached to the metal frame 700, as shown in FIG. 8 to seal theairflow system.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another example embodiment of an insert1100 in accordance with an aspect of the innovation. The insert 1100includes a first end panel 1102, a second end panel 1104, a first sidepanel 1106, a second side panel 1108, a first tab 1110, and a second tab1112. Using the example wall support assembly 400 in FIG. 4, the firstand second end panels 1102, 1104 attach to an inside surface of thefirst and second end members 402, 404 respectively. Similarly, the firstand second side panels 1106, 1108 attach to an inside surface of thefirst and second side members 406, 408 respectively. Thus, the first andsecond end panels 1102, 1104 are of a similar length and the first andsecond side panels 1106, 1108 are of a similar length. Once installed,the tabs 1110, 1112 overlap and are sealed with the adhesive/sealant tosecure the insert 1100 onto the support assembly 400. Scored lines 1114are provided to facilitate the folding of the panels and tabs duringinstallation.

Once the insert 1100 is installed, the cover 104 described above isattached to both the front and rear of the wall support assembly 400 asdescribed herein to thereby form the channel to permit the air to flowfrom the source to the destination point.

FIGS. 12-18 illustrate another example embodiment of a scaled down modelversion of an example airflow system in accordance with an aspect of theinnovation. The airflow system is adapted to utilize the space formed inthe wall between adjacent supports (e.g., studs) to transfer airflowfrom an air source (e.g., furnace, air conditioner, etc.) to an exitpoint (e.g., a vent, register, etc.) or for a cold-air return in adwelling, commercial building, industrial building, etc. The improvedair flow system is less costly to manufacture, store, transport install,etc. In addition, the improved airflow system is less noisy than theconventional metal ductwork system.

For simplicity, the innovation will be described using a scaled downversion (e.g., a model) of an example representation of a wall supportassembly 1200 that will be used as an example to illustrate the airflowsystem and installation thereof. As mentioned above, the wall supportassembly 1200 can be made from any material, such as but not limited tometal, wood, etc. and can be any size. Thus, the wall support assembly1200 illustrated and described herein is for illustrative purposes onlyand is not intended to limit the scope of the innovation. The wallsupport assembly 1200 includes first and second side supports (e.g.,studs) 1202, 1204, an upper support (header) 1206, and a bottom support(footer) 1208. The wall support assembly 1200 further includes aninterior surface 1210, a first (rear) exterior surface 1212, a second(front) exterior surface 1214, a third (first side) exterior surface1216, a fourth (second side) exterior surface 1218, a fifth (top)exterior surface 1220 (if the top exterior surface is exposed), and asixth (if the bottom exterior surface is exposed) exterior surface 1222(if exposed).

As will be described below with respect to FIGS. 13-18, the airflowsystem 1300 includes a first portion (middle interior strip) 1302 (FIGS.13-16), a second portion (first (rear) exterior sheet) 1304 (FIGS.16-18), and a third portion (second (front) exterior sheet) 1306 (FIGS.17-18). Each portion 1302, 1304, 1306 of the airflow system 1300includes a first (interior/airflow) surface 1308-2, 1308-4, 1308-6(1308-6 is not shown but is same as 1308-4), respectively, which is aflame retardant based material (e.g. a foil based material) and a second(exterior) surface 1310-2, 1310-4, 1310-6 respectively. Thus, wheninstalled, an interior surface (airflow surface) 1308 of the airflowsystem 1300 includes the first surfaces 1308-2, 1308-4, 1308-6 of eachportion 1302, 1304, 1306 and thus, is configured to meet flame spreadrequirements. The exterior surfaces 1310-2, 1310-4, 1310-6 of eachportion 1302, 1304, 1306 form an exterior surface 1310 of the airflowsystem 1300, may be made from a material, such as, but not limited to afoil based material, a paper based material, etc.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first portion 1302 is attached to the wallsupport assembly 1200 such that the exterior surface 1310-2 of the firstportion is in contact with the interior surface 1210 of the wall supportassembly 1200. The first portion 1302 is attached such that the firstportion 1302 covers the interior surface 1210 (e.g., tucked tightly intoeach corner) to thereby protect the wall support assembly 1200. Inaddition, the first portion 1302 includes a first end 1312 and a secondend 1314 and is attached to the interior surface of the wall supportassembly 1200 such that the first and second ends 1312, 1314 overlap byat least two inches. Still further, a width w1 of the first portion 1302is wider than a width w2 of each support of the wall support assembly1200. Thus, flaps (inner flaps) 1316 are formed on the front and rear ofthe wall support assembly 1200. This allows the first portion to overlapthe rear exterior surface 1212, the front exterior surface 1214, boththe first and second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, and the topexterior surface 1220 of the wall support assembly 1200, as will besubsequently described.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the inner flap 1316 at each corner 1318 isslit thereby cutting the flap 1316 into inner flap segments. The flapsegments are then folded and wrapped around the first and second sidesupports 1202, 1204, the upper support 1206 (if the top exterior surface1218 is exposed), and the bottom support 1208 (if the bottom exteriorsurface 1220 is exposed) to thereby cover the rear exterior surface1212, the front exterior surface 1214, all or a portion of both thefirst and second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, all or a portion ofthe top exterior surface 1220 (if exposed), and all or a portion of thebottom exterior surface 1222 (if exposed) of the wall support assembly1200.

Referring to FIG. 16, the second portion 1304 of the airflow system 1300is attached to the rear exterior surface 1212 such that the firstsurface 1308-4 is facing and covering the rear exterior surface 1212.The second portion 1304 is sized such that rear flaps 1320 extend aroundthe first and second side supports 1202, 1204, the upper support 1206,and the bottom support 1208 to thereby cover all or a portion of boththe first and second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, all or a portionof the top exterior surface 1220 (if exposed), and all or a portion ofthe bottom exterior surface 1222 (if exposed) of the wall supportassembly 1200.

Referring to FIG. 17, the third portion 1306 of the airflow system 1300is attached to the front exterior surface 1214 such that the firstsurface 1308-6 is facing and covering the front exterior surface 1214.The third portion 1306 is sized such that front flaps 1322 extend aroundthe first and second side supports 1202, 1204, the upper support 1206,and the bottom support 1208 to thereby cover all or a portion of boththe first and second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, and all or aportion of the top exterior surface 1220 (if exposed), and all or aportion of the bottom exterior surface 1222 (if exposed) of the wallsupport assembly 1200.

Still referring to FIG. 17, the rear and front flaps 1320, 1322 overlapon the first and second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, on the topexterior surface 1220 (if exposed), and on the bottom surface 1222 (ifexposed) of the wall support assembly 1200. The overlaps on the firstand second side exterior surfaces 1216, 1218, on the top exteriorsurface 1220 (if exposed), and on the bottom exterior surface 1222 (ifexposed) are sealed using an adhesive/sealant, such as but not limitedto a mastic type product (e.g., Duct-EZ), a spray sealant, a tapeproduct or a combination thereof.

Still referring to FIG. 17, when the first, second, and third portions1302, 1304, 1306 are all attached to the wall support assembly 1200, achannel 1400 is formed on an interior side (airflow side) of the wallsupport assembly 1200. The channel 1400 facilitates airflow to and froman airflow source (e.g., furnace, air conditioner, etc.). In addition,an interior surface of the channel 1400 is flame retardant.

Referring to FIG. 18, an opening 1800 (shown in dotted lines) may be cutinto the third (front) portion 1306 of the airflow system 1300 tofacilitate airflow throughout the dwelling. For example, the opening1800 may include a vent or grill and be a cold air return to allow airflow to enter and circulate back to the airflow source. In anotherexample, the opening 1800 may be a heating/cooling register tofacilitate the heating and cooling of the dwelling, building etc.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram 1900 illustrating an installation of theexample embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-18. At 1902, a materialhaving a first surface 1308 and a second surface 1310 whereby at leastone surface is flame retardant is provided. At 1904, the material is cutinto predetermined sizes based on the size of the wall support assembly1200. At 1906, the first portion 1302 is attached to the interiorsurface of the wall support assembly 1200. At 1908, slits are made ineach corner 1318 of the inner flap 1316 on both the front and back ofthe wall support assembly 1200. At 1910, the inner flaps 1316 are foldedand wrapped around and attached to exterior surfaces of the wall supportassembly 1200, as described above. At 1912, the second (rear) portion1304 is attached to the rear exterior surface 1212 of the wall supportassembly 1200, as described above. At 1914, the rear flaps 1320 arefolded and wrapped around the wall support assembly 1200 and attached toexterior surfaces, as described above. At 1916, the third (front)portion 1306 is attached to the front exterior surface 1214 of the wallsupport assembly 1200, as described above. At 1918, the front flaps 1322are folded and wrapped around the wall support assembly 1200 andattached to exterior surfaces, as described above. At 1920, a sealant isapplied to the overlapped portions to prevent air flow loss.

What has been described above includes examples of the innovation. Itis, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents or methodologies for purposes of describing the subjectinnovation, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that manyfurther combinations and permutations of the innovation are possible.Accordingly, the innovation is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An airflow system comprising: an insertconfigured to attach to wall support members to transfer an airflow froman entry point to an exit point; and a cover configured to attach to theinsert and wall support members thereby providing a seal over theinsert, wherein the attachment of the cover forms a channel tofacilitate the transfer of the airflow.
 2. The airflow system of claim1, wherein the insert includes a main panel and a plurality of flangesthat are foldable with respect to the main panel.
 3. The airflow systemof claim 2, wherein the insert further includes a scored line definedbetween the main panel and each of the plurality of flanges.
 4. Theairflow system of claim 3, wherein the insert further includes aplurality of foldable tabs disposed at each corner of the insert tofacilitate the attachment of the insert to the wall support members. 5.The airflow system of claim 1, wherein the insert and the cover are madefrom a foil based material.
 6. An airflow system comprising: a firstportion having a first surface made from a flame retardant material anda second surface and being attached to an interior surface of a wallsupport assembly so that the second surface is facing the interiorsurface thereby covering the interior surface; a second portion having afirst surface made from a flame retardant material and being attached toa rear exterior portion of the wall support assembly so that the firstsurface is facing the rear exterior portion thereby covering the rearexterior surface; and a third portion having a first surface made from aflame retardant material and being attached to a front exterior surfaceof the wall support assembly so that the first surface is facing thefront exterior portion thereby covering the front exterior surface,wherein attachment of the first portion, second portion, and thirdportion enclose the wall support assembly and form a channel within thewall support assembly that facilitates a transfer of airflow.
 7. Theairflow system of claim 6, wherein the first portion has a first end anda second end that overlap when the first portion is attached to theinterior surface, and wherein a width of the first portion is greaterthan a width of the wall support assembly such that flaps are formed ona front and rear of the wall support assembly.
 8. The airflow system ofclaim 7, wherein slits are cut into each corner of the inner flapforming inner flap segments, and wherein the flap segments are wrappedaround and attached to supports of the wall support assembly.
 9. Theairflow system of claim 8, wherein when attached, rear flaps from thesecond portion extend around and attach to supports of the wall supportassembly thereby overlapping the inner flap segments.
 10. The airflowsystem of claim 9, wherein when attached, front flaps from the thirdportion extend around and attach to supports of the wall supportassembly thereby overlapping the inner flap segments.
 11. The airflowsystem of claim 10, wherein the overlapping portions are sealed with asealant.
 12. The airflow system of claim 6, wherein an interior surfaceof the channel is made from the flame retardant material.
 13. Theairflow system of claim 6 further comprising an opening that facilitatesairflow to or from an airflow source.
 14. A method installing an airflowsystem comprising: providing a material having at least one flameretardant surface; attaching a first portion of the material to aninterior surface of a wall support assembly; attaching inner flaps,formed by the attachment of the first portion, to exterior surfaces ofthe wall support assembly; attaching a second portion to a rear exteriorsurface of the wall support assembly; attaching rear flaps, formed bythe attachment of the rear portion, to the exterior surfaces of the wallsupport assembly; attaching a third portion to a front exterior surfaceof the wall support assembly; and attaching front flaps, formed by theattachment of the front portion, to the exterior surfaces of the wallsupport assembly.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein prior to attachinga first portion of the material to an interior surface of a wall supportassembly the method further comprising cutting the material intopredetermined sizes based on a size of the wall support assembly. 16.The method of claim 14, wherein prior to attaching inner flaps, formedby the attachment of the first portion, to exterior surfaces of the wallsupport assembly the method further comprising cutting slits into eachcorner of the inner flap formed by the attachment of the first portionthereby forming inner flap segments.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising wrapping the inner flap segments around the exterior surfacesof the wall support assembly.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein priorto attaching rear flaps, formed by the attachment of the rear portion,to the exterior surfaces of the wall support assembly the method furthercomprising wrapping the rear flaps around the exterior surfaces of thewall support assembly.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein prior toattaching front flaps, formed by the attachment of the front portion, tothe exterior surfaces of the wall support assembly the method furthercomprising wrapping the front flaps around the exterior surfaces of thewall support assembly.
 20. The method of claim 14 further comprisingsealing overlapping portions of the inner flap, the rear flaps and thefront flaps with a sealant.